Westminster Labour Welcomes Decision to Save Dolphin Square

Westbrook’s plans to add 230 new flats and demolish Dolphin Square’s northernmost block, Rodney House, to be replaced with a new 10-storey building, were refused following a massive community campaign with cross-party support.

Members of the Council’s Planning Committee voted unanimously for refusal on the following grounds; harm to the Conservation Area from the demolition of Rodney House and rooftop extensions, intensification of short term lettings in terms of number of units and lack of family sized affordable housing units.

Westminster Labour has supported residents in their opposition to the plans since they were first revealed.

Councillor Geoff Barraclough, Labour’s Planning spokesperson and member of the Planning Committee said:

“Westbrook’s proposals would have caused huge damage to Dolphin Square and its Conservation Area, including the Grade 2 listed garden, but would have delivered only a fraction of the affordable housing Westminster needs.”

The next stage sees the application sent to the Mayor of London who has two weeks to decide whether to accept Westminster’s decision. Councillor Barraclough added: “Westbrook needs to be working with the community not against it. We will be writing to the Mayor to ask him to rubber stamp Westminster’s decision to save Dolphin Square.”